AR
Qatar’s Daniil Sokolov delivered another memorable performance to secure the Men’s Division of the 34th Jordan Amateur Open at Ayla Golf Club.
The Doha Golf Club Member secured the title at one-under par as he made history by becoming the first player to win titles in back-to-back editions, adding the men’s crown to the junior title he earned last year. The UAE’s Sam Mullane finished runner-up at three-over par, with compatriot Ahmad Skaik taking third one shot back.
The 34th edition of the Jordan Open Golf Championship came to a successful close at Ayla Golf Club in Aqaba, with HRH Prince Faisal bin Al Hussein, President of the Jordan Olympic Committee, attending the final ceremony alongside officials and guests from across the region, as the three-day event brought together top amateur golfers from 24 countries as part of the Arab Golf Series, staged under the supervision of the Arab Golf Federation.
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The Ladies’ Division produced one of the most memorable moments of the week when Palestine’s Yasmeen Thaher not only won the title but also recorded the first hole-in-one in tournament history. She posted a total of 224 to finish comfortably ahead of Lebanon’s Lara Bakhour 235 and Jordan’s Lilia Mujahid 245. Saudi Arabia’s Lana Al-Misbahy followed in fourth with a career-best 246.
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The Juniors’ U16 Division was won by Jordan’s Mohammad Al-Rawashdeh, who closed on 235. Serbia’s Aleksej Djukonovic and Tunisia’s Mehdi Ben Youssef shared second place on 238. Poland’s Daniel Thaher and Jordan’s Adam Soudi rounded out the top five.
In the Seniors’ Division, Lebanon’s Sheikhmouss El Zein topped the field with a total of 239, followed by Jordan’s Joe Fadli 250 and Lebanon’s Tony Bou Serhal 268.
Ayla Golf Club, Jordan
The Jordan Amateur Open is considered a strategic stop within the Arab Golf Series (AGS), officially sanctioned by the Arab Golf Federation. The tournament provides Arab players with the opportunity to earn official ranking points under the newly launched Arab Ranking System — a vital step that broadens their pathway toward qualifying for international professional competitions.
The Arab Golf Series (AGS) embodies a successful model of collaboration between the Arab Golf Federation and national federations across the region, through the organisation of high-quality tournaments that enhance the readiness of Arab players. These events offer a competitive platform aligned with international standards and play a key role in nurturing emerging talent and bolstering Arab representation on the global stage.
Winners of the 1st Cedars Championship (L-R) Daniil Sokolov, Sam Mullane, Anca Mateiu
This year, the series launched with strong momentum, beginning with the Qatar Open in February, followed by the Cedars Golf Championship organised by the Lebanese Federation in cooperation with the UAE Federation. It then moved to Cairo, Egypt, where the Pan Arab Junior and Ladies Golf Championship marked the series’ first events for these categories. That milestone also witnessed the launch of the Arab Women’s and Junior Rankings, a significant development in the region’s pathway toward technical and competitive excellence.
The calendar continues in September with the Moroccan Elite Tour in Tangier. In October, the Kingdom of Bahrain will host the Bahrain Amateur Open, followed by Egypt hosting both the Women’s & Junior Amateur Championships and the Men’s Amateur Championship.
Saudi Arabia is also set to host the Arab Men’s & Seniors Championship, along with the Saudi Amateur Open in Riyadh, before the season wraps up with the UAE Cup and the Tunisian Open (TBC).
The Jordan Amateur Open was organised in partnership with the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) and Ayla Oasis, with support from the Jordan Olympic Committee and the Jordan Golf Federation.
Recognised as one of the oldest and most prestigious amateur tournaments in the Middle East, the Jordan Amateur Open plays a direct role in influencing WAGR standings and promotes Jordan, and particularly Aqaba, as a comprehensive sports and tourism destination.
Beyond competition, the tournament serves as a bridge for sporting and cultural exchange among Arab nations, and marks a progressive step in cementing Arab golf’s growing presence on the global map.
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Main Image: Arab Golf Federation / Jordan Golf Open
